Visit

Germany

QAnon™ – the global efforts to trademark a far-right movement

New investigation finds trademark applications around the world related to the controversial QAnon movement, with one applicant revealing an ambitious plan to launch a global brand to “plant trees and save the oceans”.

29 Sep 2020

Brands less important to consumers demanding social improvements, report reveals

Brandwatch has released the results of a survey of consumer perception on brand purpose in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.

3 Sep 2020

German domestic trademark activity improves as economy is touted for recovery

As reports emerge that German exports will drop as the country reduces its interaction with the global market, domestic trademark filings are increasing at an above average rate for the European Union.

Latest

View all

12 Oct 2020

Another blow for Lindt & Sprüngli in its efforts to protect its golden bunny

In a further illustration of the difficulties of registering abstract colours as trademarks, the court of appeal of Munich has held that the golden colour of Lindt & Sprüngli’s chocolate bunny had not acquired the necessary level of reputation to be eligible for trademark protection. Read more

28 Aug 2020

Economies are battered but many major offices set for record trademark numbers

As the data continues to be updated, we are able to get a better understanding of the extent of the coronavirus’ impact on the trademark ecosystem. Read more

21 Aug 2020

Decade-long chocolate dispute ends: Ritter Sport keeps trademark for square-shaped chocolate

The German Federal Court of Justice has brought an end to a longstanding dispute between two well-known chocolate manufacturers and decided (again) that Ritter Sport may retain its 3D mark for chocolate packaging. Read more

7 Aug 2020

Enforcement data reveals destination shift for counterfeits originating in China

The true scope of the illicit trade of fake goods is hard to define, but analysis by Rouse indicates that Southeast Asia is a fast-rising hotspot. Read more

Anti-Counterfeiting

View all

7 Aug 2020

How should authors utilise trademarks to protect their literary works: the European perspective

In the second of this two-part piece, we speak to legal experts to explore the role that trademarks could play in the fight against book piracy in Europe. Read more

23 Apr 2020

Procedures and strategies for anti-counterfeiting: Germany

In case of slavish imitations which are not within the scope of IP rights, the Act Against Unfair Competition provides for complementary protection if additional unfair acts are committed Read more

2 Apr 2020

Amazon not liable for storage of counterfeit goods, CJEU rules

The CJEU has ruled that Amazon is not legally liable for the storage of counterfeit goods. While the decision could be seen as a blow to the fight against fake goods, Amazon responded by pledging to ‘drive counterfeits to zero’. Read more

17 Mar 2020

Trademark procedures and strategies: Germany

Commercial designations are protected against newer identical or confusingly similar trade designations and trademarks once they are first used in Germany. Read more

Brand management

View all

15 May 2020

What the Virgin Media and O2 deal tells us about the branding struggles of telecom providers

The industry’s major players do a poor job of building consumer loyalty, and there is the constant risk of smaller, more flexible companies disrupting the market. Read more

24 Apr 2020

Germany set to bounce back from lockdown measures, but local brands likely to suffer due to international nature

German businesses are globally-minded and utilise the EU and Madrid system to obtain far-reaching trademark coverage. This approach will have unintended consequences, but brands can rely on a stable government to provide support. Read more

3 Mar 2020

US House fakes bill; MARQUES Spring Meeting cancelled; rise of counterfeits on TikTok – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the IP Office of New Zealand warnings of fraudulent invoices, a Chinese government news outlet pushing back against anti-IP sentiment, African Intellectual Property Organisation meeting the prime minister of Mauritania, and much more. Read more

2 Mar 2020

Comedian legally changes name to Hugo Boss – important lessons for brands

UK comedian Joe Lycett has legally changed his name to Hugo Boss in protest at the fashion company’s trademark enforcement work in a move that provides crucial lessons for all trademark professionals. Read more

Enforcement and Litigation

View all

22 Jan 2020

No free ticket for toys at the border: BMW successfully defends itself against lawsuit by toy manufacturer

Well-known car manufacturer BMW has successfully defended itself against a lawsuit filed by a toy car manufacturer in Germany. The plaintiff sought an injunction and damages following an allegedly inadmissible seizure of goods at the border. Read more

20 Jan 2020

Nivea - recognise the blue?

The dispute between Unilever and Beiersdorf over the latter’s abstract colour mark for its ‘Nivea Blue’, which lasted for over a decade, has finally come to an end. Read more

17 Jan 2020

KIPO urges idol IP protection, Extinction Rebellion brand headache, and CCFN praises US-China deal: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a Love Island star being reprimanded due to an Instagram post, the theme for World IP Day 2020, the Chilean IP office being praised for a reduction in the gender gap, and much more. Read more

9 Dec 2019

Litigation procedures and strategies: Germany

Government/Policy

View all

29 Nov 2019

DPMA warns of scam invoices, Poundland versus Greggs, and WIPO DG candidate list widens: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the Philippines IP Office reviving its arbitration service, the advocate general finding that Amazon didn’t infringe on Coty’s trademark rights, the first GIs being processed in Ivory Coast, and much more. Read more

26 Sep 2019

Unauthorised 'Greta Thunberg' and 'Extinction Rebellion' trademarks could pose a threat to climate change activists

Two major figures in the climate change activism movement, campaigner Greta Thunberg and protest movement Extinction Rebellion, are facing a legal battle in Germany due to unauthorised trademark applications. Read more

13 Sep 2019

Extinction Rebellion trademark, Egypt fee rise, and Crocs Gloves in art gallery: news digest

In our latest edition, we look at Māori uproar over a New Zealand trademark application, WIPO in Hungary, MARQUES addressing long goods and services lists at the EUIPO, and much more. Read more

29 Jul 2019

The top filers and a vision for the future: inside EUIPO operations

Less than a year into Christian Archambeau’s tenure as executive director, the EUIPO is laying the groundwork for future expansion. World Trademark Review’s annual focus on the office assesses current operations, reveals the most proactive filers and explores how the agency is taking a global view of trademarks. Read more

Law Firms

View all

12 Mar 2020

The most prolific trademark attorney firms in Europe revealed

Data analysis reveals that, amongst representatives, Isabelle Bertaux ranks as the number one trademark filer in the EU, with Novagraaf and Arpe completing the top 3. Read more

13 Jan 2020

IP services sector gets new player, as Novagraaf and PAVIS prepare to ramp up NovumIP launch

Novagraaf and PAVIS recently joined forces to create a new IP service provider. In an exclusive interview with WTR, the chairman of the new entity, NovumIP, has expanded on how it will become "a new force in the IP market". Read more

25 Oct 2019

Supreme most searched fake brand, 'tm.com' for sale, and more unauthorised Greta Thunberg marks: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a new study finding few marketers are confident in consistent brand values, brands being warned of being too political, Diesel engaging in a trademark battle with a reality star, and much more. Read more

23 Oct 2019

Baker McKenzie leads law firm brand index; cross-border focus highlighted

Market analysis from Acritas has found that the most successful law firm brands come from global firms focusing on Germany at a time when much domestic growth has stalled. Read more

IP Offices

View all

17 Jun 2020

Mysterious Chinese entity sits atop USPTO top filers list, alongside Everglades College, Marvel and Walmart

This data deep dive explores US filing strategies by country, revealing that Chinese applicants increasingly favour direct applications while European-based businesses continue to utilise the WIPO route. Read more

5 Apr 2019

How South Africa’s predicted economic upswing will create opportunities for brands and their advisors

The country is seeing increased interest from international entities - particularly from the US; this will likely grow in scale as not only the South African economy develops, but as other emerging markets on the African continent grow. Read more

19 Oct 2018

Facebook’s WHOIS access woes, DPMA’s IP workshop for refugees, and Santa-Cruz leaves INAPI: news round-up

In our latest round-up, we look at the Croatian president talking up nation branding, Gucci voicing “reluctance” to work with Alibaba and JD.com, brand owners readying themselves for motion marks, and much more. Read more

12 Sep 2018

Trademark procedures and strategies: Germany

Commercial designations are protected against newer identical or confusingly similar trade designations and trademarks once they are first used in Germany, but details of this protection can be complex. Read more

Online

View all

8 Oct 2019

Ortlieb v Amazon - the constant struggle to find what you are looking for

In the longstanding dispute between outdoor gear company Ortlieb and Amazon in Germany, the Federal Supreme Court has confirmed that the use of the trademark ORTLIEB by Amazon in online advertisements constituted trademark infringement. Read more

18 Oct 2017

German Federal Court rules on Google’s Image Search

The Federal Court of Justice has handed down a judgment of utmost importance for the exploitation of copyright on the Internet. The decision, which will become known and referred to under the name Thumbnail III, examined whether the display of preview images in search results constituted an act of making available a copyright work in the sense of the copyright law. Read more

1 Mar 2017

Germany: Fight for your (domain name) rights

As more and more companies use the Internet to sell goods and services, it is crucial to register the right domain name and then to protect it effectively Read more

12 Apr 2016

Trademark application filed for 'The Panama Papers'; applicant reveals ambitious plans

A Munich-based marketer has applied for a trademark in Germany for the term ‘The Panama Papers’, with plans to write a movie and sell merchandise related to the unprecedented leak of 11.5 million files from the database of law firm Mossack Fonseca. An IP expert tells us that if the application progresses to the opposition stage, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists will need to rely on unregistered rights if it seeks to prevent its registration by a third party.

Portfolio Management

View all

7 Jul 2020

Reform of the Trademark Act transposing Directive 2015/2436: key amendments and new possibilities

Following the reform of the Trademark Act (the second part of which came into effect on 20 May 2020), national trademarks may become a more attractive prospect for applicants developing their portfolio strategies. Read more

24 Jan 2020

Brand Tracker: the filing trends of the world’s most valuable brands

In the first instalment of a new series, we track the trademark filing activity of the world’s most valuable brands – revealing that Mercedes-Benz may be gearing up to launch an AI assistant. Read more

14 Jan 2020

Infringement and filings increase but budget no longer the primary concern, says new study

As trademark filing numbers increase globally, a new report by CompuMark provides data on a rise in infringement incidents that trademark professionals are experiencing. While these infringements are costly, budget does not currently top the list of concerns for in-house teams. Read more

26 Nov 2019

Unregistered designs - how to disclose and save novelty

The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court in London has referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union two questions on unregistered Community design rights which have been discussed in legal literature for years. Read more

Trademark law

View all

30 Sep 2019

Procedures and strategies for pharmaceutical brands: Germany

According to Section 10 of the Act on Advertising in the Field of Health, prescription-only medicinal products may be advertised only to doctors, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists and persons authorised to trade in such medicinal products. Read more

25 Jan 2019

Litigation procedures and strategies: Germany

Alternative dispute resolution methods exist; however, they play only a minor role in Germany. One reason is Germany’s efficient court system, which allows for settling trademark conflicts quickly and at reasonable costs. Read more

17 Jan 2019

Amended German trademark law comes into force - key changes highlighted

The Trademark Law Modernisation Act, which aims to transpose Directive 2015/2436 into German law, has come into force. This update reviews the changes that will have the greatest impact on mark owners. Read more

7 Jan 2019

Protecting and enforcing design rights: Greece

With regard to national industrial designs, Greece has a ‘partially cumulative’ protection system. According to this doctrine, a registered design is eligible for protection under both copyright and design law, provided that the requirements for each type of right apply. Read more

Twitter

25 Nov 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @MarksmenTweets: The Michael Gleissner Files: massive scope of #trademark and #domain portfolio revealed in exclusive data | @WTRmagazin… Read more

24 Nov 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @WTRmagazine: Michael Gleissner uncovered: a major new WTR investigation identifies over 6,800 trademarks and 6,900 domain names that ap… Read more

24 Nov 2020

@WTRmagazine Michael Gleissner uncovered: a major new WTR investigation identifies over 6,800 trademarks and 6,900 domain names… https://t.co/5IDqlk0LIy Read more

24 Nov 2020

@WTRmagazine Computing and software brands share price plunge continues downward pressure on WTR Brand Elite performance.… https://t.co/lCZcb4DZPL Read more